Ernie Haase and Signature Sound are consistent with trying to get one new album out per year. 2016 gives listeners a tribute album with the group re-recording eight of Fanny Crosby’s most loved compositions.

On several selections, Signature Sound tend to add fresh arrangements while other selections try to stay true to the original interpretation of the song.

Will a hymns recording be strong enough to add to your musical playlists? Lets find out.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The freshest and most different arrangement is found on “Redeemed How I Love To Proclaim It”. If you’re a listener of folk rock group, The Lumineers, you are familiar with their song, “Ho Hey”. Well, Signature Sound lend their own Hey, Ho to the chorus of the song. This is my favorite selection from the recording.

I enjoyed the Celtic feel of the opening track, “Praise Him Praise Him”. I’m sure you’ve heard this song performed countless times over the course of your lifetime. This arrangement lends to a new listening experience.

Signature Sound’s take on Fanny’s most well-known composition, “Blessed Assurance” gives the listener an arrangement that hearkens to Tennessee Ernie Ford. It is fitting that Paul Harkey is featured on the first verse.

I have to give kudos to the art director of the group’s album covers. The stand out appeal of a good album cover can draw your attention before you even give the album a listen. The color palette used in most of Signature Sound’s album covers should be commended.

I was happy the group kept the album to only eight songs as to not tire out the listener on songs that have been heard hundred of times before.

As an artist, you always paint yourself in to a corner when attempting a hymns recording. You are re-recording songs that have already been heard hundred of times before. Being able to add fresh touch is tough. The group was able to accomplish that with nearly half the recording.

Weakest songs included in order: “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross/In The Cross” and “He Hideth My Soul”.

WRAP UP:

From a production stand point, The Favorite Hymns Of Fanny Crosby is one of the best albums you’ll hear all year. The only thing that may keep you away is that it is a collection of songs heard countless times before. I would give the songs the group added fresh arrangements to a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

This is a pretty good CD. I like that the group gave some modern arrangements to some of these songs to make them fresh while still staying true enough to the original sound. However, I was a little disappointed that they only included 8 songs. I believe Fanny Crosby wrote around 8,000, so surely they could have found a couple more (preferably medium to fast paced) songs to at least bring the total number to ten.